Grand Strategy
- Submitted by: kusa
- Views: 1106
- Category: Politics: Political Science
- Date Submitted: 12/03/2010 07:48 AM
- Pages: 11
- Report this Essay
GRAND STRATEGIES
Analyze of Sun Tzu “The Art of War” Thucydides, “ The Peloponnesian War” and
The Polybius “ The Rise of the Roman Empire”
Scholars believe that Sun Tzu probably lived in the fourth century b.c. They also have some indications that he was born in the state of Ch'i, that he prospered in Wu, where he became a general, but some scholars have even contended that Sun Tzu is a mythical character who never existed as an individual.
Sun Tzu's only known work is The Art of War. It is divided into thirteen chapters, with each chapter treating a different topic, such as calculating the strength of the enemy's forces, planning attacks, the nature of force, and the use of spies. The Art of War, has been prized for thousands of years by the Chinese and was, and continues to be, enormously influential on Chinese and Japanese military thought; it was the source for Mao Tse-tung's strategies and tactics. Since the early twentieth century The Art of War has been popular in the West. The main theme of The Art of War is effective military strategy. The author, therefore, stresses the importance of analyzing all aspects of the situation at hand before engaging in warfare, for the outcome of the war will be either the survival or the destruction of the nation. The work also asserts the idea that all warfare is based on deception; the necessity of adapting to existing conditions; the adage that a good general is prudent but not hesitant; and the notion that to be victorious you must thoroughly know yourself and your enemy.
Sun Tzu’s first essay titled, “Estimates,” begins with the premise that the art of war is vital to the state. He writes there are five constants to weigh in ones deliberations: Moral influence, weather, terrain, command, and doctrine. He writes that all warfare is based on deception. Sun Tzu suggested that war must be fought: In the shortest possible time; at the least possible cost in lives and effort; with infliction...
Analyze of Sun Tzu “The Art of War” Thucydides, “ The Peloponnesian War” and
The Polybius “ The Rise of the Roman Empire”
Scholars believe that Sun Tzu probably lived in the fourth century b.c. They also have some indications that he was born in the state of Ch'i, that he prospered in Wu, where he became a general, but some scholars have even contended that Sun Tzu is a mythical character who never existed as an individual.
Sun Tzu's only known work is The Art of War. It is divided into thirteen chapters, with each chapter treating a different topic, such as calculating the strength of the enemy's forces, planning attacks, the nature of force, and the use of spies. The Art of War, has been prized for thousands of years by the Chinese and was, and continues to be, enormously influential on Chinese and Japanese military thought; it was the source for Mao Tse-tung's strategies and tactics. Since the early twentieth century The Art of War has been popular in the West. The main theme of The Art of War is effective military strategy. The author, therefore, stresses the importance of analyzing all aspects of the situation at hand before engaging in warfare, for the outcome of the war will be either the survival or the destruction of the nation. The work also asserts the idea that all warfare is based on deception; the necessity of adapting to existing conditions; the adage that a good general is prudent but not hesitant; and the notion that to be victorious you must thoroughly know yourself and your enemy.
Sun Tzu’s first essay titled, “Estimates,” begins with the premise that the art of war is vital to the state. He writes there are five constants to weigh in ones deliberations: Moral influence, weather, terrain, command, and doctrine. He writes that all warfare is based on deception. Sun Tzu suggested that war must be fought: In the shortest possible time; at the least possible cost in lives and effort; with infliction...